The pedigrees given above
differ slightly from those recorded in the General Stud Book
insofar as the sire of Aldby Jenny is shown as Manica rather
than Leedes's Dragon. Original research into the genealogy of
this family was provided by
Highflyer
and A J Hibbard.

Family 72 emerged in Yorkshire around the beginning of the 18th
century. Sir Matthew Pierson's Ruby entered the stud of John
Brewster Darley of Buttercrambe and there produced at least
three offspring, all of whom raced for Mr Darley.

Flower finished fourth of thirteen for the Ladies' Gold Cup
at York in 1721, which was won by Mr Chetwynd's bay colt Slouch,
and was unplaced for the Royal Plate at York in 1722, won by Mr Duncombe's Hazard
[ex-Dart] (ch c 1716 Bald Galloway). Standing fourteen and a half
hands, he was described as a strong horse having a very fine
shape, which characteristics he transmitted to his offspring. He
was advertised to stand at George Wright's at Naward-Castle,
Cumberland, in 1736 [Newcastle Courant, April 10, 1736, Number
572].

The most successful
runner, Aldby Jenny, won the King's Plate for six year olds at
Guildford in 1723 [Newcastle Courant, April 10, 1736, Number 572
& W T Frampton and the "Dragon":66]. She was sold after her
victory for 500 guineas. In the stud she produced at least two
winners, Justice and Crook. Justice ran in the colours of the
Earl of Halifax from 1730 to 1732, winning a 200gs match from
Lord Portmore's Daffodil (ch 1725 Bald Galloway) and a 100gs
match from Lord Howe's Miss Hoyden. Crook won the Royal Plate at
York in 1735 defeating Mr Witty's Meliora (ch f 1729
Fox) and five others.

Swimmer finished 6th of 19
in the Royal Plate for five year old mares at Hambleton in
1723, which race was won by Mr Graeme's Whitelips (b f 1718
Bald Galloway). Her son Plunder was
himself a good racehorse. In 1737 Plunder won the £90
Ladies' Plate at Lincoln and finished 2nd for the Royal Plate at
York, won by Cato (b c 1731
Croft's Partner). In 1738, he won the Annual Plate at
Kipling-Coates, £40 at Newcastle and £30 at York. In 1739 he was
lamed in his only race in May at New Malton, Yorkshire. In 1740
he won the Annual Plate at Kipling-Coates. Described as standing
fifteen hands and the best Plate horse then in Yorkshire, he was
advertised in the York Courant to stand at William
Moody's at Hatfield for a fee of one guinea in 1740.

"Justice, (a bay horse -
foaled in 1724,) Bred by and the Property of the Earl of
Halifax. Justice was got by the Hampton-Court Litten Arabian;
dam, Aldby Jenny, (bred by John Brewster, Esq.) by Leedes's
Dragon, out of Sir Matthew Peirson's Ruby" [Pick 1:28].

In a pedigree given for
Brutus: "Ld. Halifax's Justice, Son to the Hampton Court Litton
Arabian, upon Aldby Jenny, bred by Mr. Brewster, her Grand Dam
called Ruby, was got by Mr. Leed's Dragon" [Heber 1761:143].